Babazeka blog

I’ve been feeling a little unmotivated the last week or so, and decided to look online for some entrepreneurial advice. I discovered that it’s completely common for business-owners to go through this, but what is important is for me to learn how to re-charge myself and my business, so that I move forward. Here are some tips that I’ve gathered from Entrepreneur.com, EzineArticles,  Zeromillion and Eolutosin.

1. Slow down. Take some time at the start of each day to quieten your mind. Picture exactly why it is you’re doing what you’re doing. Having a quiet mind helps you to stay focused on your goals and figure out what you need to do to improve your situation.

2. Set Priorities. Do your filing, tidy your office, put your accounts in order. Give your projects deadlines. Write down your plan for expanding your business and achieving your goals. This will help to give you specific direction.

3. Visualise your success. Your brain doesn’t know the difference between visualising something and actually carrying it out. If you picture yourself achieving your goals, staying motivated and overcoming hurdles, your brain will think it has been there before and this makes it easier for you to actually execute these things the way you would like to.

4. List your Achievements. Write down everything that you have managed to achieve since the start of your business. Look at where these achievements came from, where the idea behind them originated from. Feel proud of what you have already managed to achieve and keep your mind open to all channels from which you can possibly receive new, inspirational ideas.

5. Look for new Strategies. It’s important to learn from your mistakes, and to not become stuck in a business rut. What may seem like your most important business practices might actually be what is stopping you from  growing further. Try implementing new and exciting strategies to keep yourself motivated and to keep your business fresh.

6. Reward Yourself. Take the time to treat yourself when you’ve achieved a goal. Whether it’s buying yourself a gift, or taking a morning (or a day!) off, you need to recognise and reward your accomplishments. This helps in motivating yourself to set and achieve more goals.

7. Connect with other Business Owners. It helps to stay connected with others who have similar passions to you and who have been through similar experiences. Sharing thoughts, experience and expertise is so important in staying motivated, and in re-energising yourself.

8. Exercise your Mind. If you feel yourself becoming negative or de-motivated, it’s time to start some “mind gym”. By being permanently aware of your thoughts, and nipping negative thoughts in the bud, you’ll be able to train yourself to think more positively about yourself and your business.

9. Give 10% Extra. Many people give 90% of themselves but never add that extra 10%. True benefit comes from that extra bit of effort and being just that much more proactive. This adds value to your business, and helps you overcome your hurdles with ease.

10. Just Have Fun. Try not to always take yourself, and your business too seriously. At the end of the day, it’s important have a good work-life balance, and that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy your work-time as much as your life-time. Just relax, and enjoy the good and bad for what it is – one big learning experience!

Written by: Sarah
Filed under: Entrepreneurship on September 10th, 2008